Andy Whitaker: Last News

Richard Leonard has hired a top spin doctor to help turn around his flagging fortunes.Andy Whitaker, who was head of strategic communications for former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, starts in post on Wednesday.Leonard has been in the job for nearly three years, but has suffered devastating defeats at the ballot box.Scottish Labour slumped to fifth at the European election and lost six of their seven seats at the general election.Get all the top Scottish politics news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up to our Politics newsletter.We cover Holyrood, Westminster and local councils, with a current focus on how our governments are handling the coronavirus pandemic.To sign up, simply enter your email address into the pink box near the

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard is in the obligatory ­politician’s casual, the open-neck check shirt and jeans, with a flash of red socks under blue slip-ons.We meet in his garden in a pleasant working-class street in Paisley, with ­stunning views over Ralston golf course, where the loud trundle of a tractor on the green is forcing Leonard to shout.And right now, Leonard is all about being heard, hitting the media circuit like a band with a new single out.Rebel Labour MSPs are attempting a coup, threatening legal action if he doesn’t stand down as leader.